Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1057: Relating to: reporting positive rental payment information to credit bureaus.

AB 1057 requires landlords to offer residential tenants the option to have their on-time rent payments reported to credit bureaus. Landlords must provide this opt-in offer at lease signing and annually thereafter, with tenants able to accept or decline without penalty. Landlords may charge up to $10 monthly (or actual cost) for this service but cannot report payment of the fee as rent or use it to evict tenants. Tenants can stop reporting at any time but must wait six months to restart the reporting. The bill specifically covers only positive payment history (timely rent), not late payments.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables tenants to build credit via rent reporting, strengthening tenant financial stability and rights without penalties or restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1029: Relating to: local regulation of landlords.

SB 1029 repeals Section 66.0104 of the statutes, which previously allowed local governments to regulate landlords. This bill directly affects cities and counties that had authority under this statute to create local rules for rental housing. The key provision is the removal of this specific legal authority, meaning local governments would no longer be able to enact ordinances under this section. The bill does not create new regulations but eliminates an existing framework for local landlord oversight.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRepeals local authority to regulate landlords, removing existing tenant protection framework under Section 66.0104.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1033: Relating to: allowing more than 35 percent of the area within a tax incremental district in the Village of Somers to be used for residential use. (FE)

SB 1033 would change zoning rules for development districts in the Village of Somers by raising the maximum allowable residential land use from 35% to 50% of the district's total area. This specifically affects new residential projects within Somers' tax incremental districts, which are designated areas used to spur local economic development through tax revenue reinvestment. The bill amends a statute defining "mixed-use development" to remove the 35% cap and replace it with a 50% limit for Somers, while maintaining the 35% cap for other areas. This policy change directly modifies how residential space can be allocated in development plans approved for Somers' tax increment districts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases residential zoning allowance from 35% to 50% in Somers tax districts, enabling more housing development by removing a cap on residential land use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning Tags Economic Development

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1076: Relating to: rent abatement and retaliatory conduct and granting rule-making authority.

This bill creates clear rules for rent reductions when rental properties have health or safety hazards, requiring the state agency to establish a standardized schedule for how much rent can be reduced based on specific issues. It also strengthens tenant protections by making it illegal for landlords to retaliate - such as by raising rent, cutting services, or threatening eviction - after a tenant legally requests repairs or rent abatement within the past year. The law specifies that landlords cannot use these actions to punish tenants for exercising rights under the new rules. These changes apply to all residential rental properties in the state.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates standardized rent reductions for health/safety hazards and bans landlord retaliation, strengthening tenant protections and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1058: Relating to: reporting positive rental payment information to credit bureaus.

SB 1058 requires landlords to offer tenants the option to have their on-time rent payments reported to credit bureaus. Landlords must provide written offers (via mail or email) to all tenants by July 1, 2026, detailing the option, any fee (capped at $10/month or actual cost), and how to accept or opt out. Tenants may accept the offer at any time, but must wait six months to restart reporting after opting out. Landlords cannot charge fees for reporting, deduct fees from security deposits, or treat non-payment of the optional fee as lease breach. The bill directly affects renters seeking to build credit and landlords managing reporting systems.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables tenants to build credit via on-time rent payments, strengthening tenant financial standing and access to housing90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1048: Relating to: modifications to the property tax exemption for nonprofit organizations that sell property to low-income persons. (FE)

SB 1048 modifies property tax exemption rules for nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) status) that sell properties to low-income households. It requires nonprofits to hold property for rehabilitation, redevelopment, or new construction specifically for sale to buyers with income below 120% of the area median income (using federal standards). The bill removes a previous requirement for nonprofits to offer interest-free loans to buyers and updates the income threshold for eligibility. This exemption applies to property tax assessments starting January 1, 2026, directly affecting nonprofits developing affordable housing for qualifying buyers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies property tax exemptions for nonprofits selling to low-income buyers, providing tax relief to support affordable housing initiatives through targeted tax incentives.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires nonprofits to develop housing for low-income buyers (below 120% AMI) via tax exemption modifications, directly advancing affordable housing access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 885: Relating to: limitations on extraterritorial subdivision ordinances of incorporated municipalities.

AB 885 limits how cities can regulate land development outside their official boundaries. It prevents municipalities from denying approval for land plats or surveys based solely on the proposed land use, unless the denial follows specific, pre-approved rules related to: (1) land use itself, (2) public improvements, (3) land division standards, or (4) annexation agreements. This directly affects developers and landowners seeking to build in areas adjacent to cities but not yet within city limits. The bill ensures cities can only block development for clearly defined reasons, not arbitrary concerns about how land might be used.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves municipal barriers to land development outside city limits, facilitating more housing construction and addressing housing development needs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 917: Relating to: a first-time home buyer purchasing assistance fund and loan program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 917 creates a $150 million First-Time Home Buyer Purchasing Assistance Fund to provide interest-free loans for eligible buyers. It directly affects first-time homebuyers who have never owned a home (or lost one to foreclosure), earn at or below 100% of local median income, complete homebuyer education, and occupy the home as their primary residence. Loans cover up to $35,000 or 10% of the home’s purchase price (whichever is lower) for down payments, closing costs, and other expenses, with 12.5% forgiveness after 2.5 years and full forgiveness after 10 years. Repayment is triggered if the home is sold, stops being the primary residence, or if the borrower violates loan terms. The program is administered by Wisconsin’s Housing and Economic Development Authority.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a $150M appropriation for homebuyer assistance, directly funding a program through state budget spending to support first-time homebuyers.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates $150M interest-free loan fund for first-time homebuyers meeting income and education criteria, directly increasing affordable housing access through down payment/closing cost assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Procurement Homeownership Mortgages Property Development

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 986: Relating to: levy increase limits in political subdivisions with qualifying infill housing development. (FE)

AB 986 modifies property tax valuation rules for local governments (like cities and towns) that build qualifying infill housing projects. It defines "qualifying infill housing" as projects adding 2-6 new homes on older residential parcels (with 90% of the area developed for 10+ years), using existing infrastructure, and increasing total units. The bill changes how new construction value affects annual tax levy limits by including 90% of new property value in tax incremental districts (TIDs) and excluding removed improvements from these calculations. This adjustment aims to ease tax levy constraints for municipalities developing such housing without altering tax rates themselves.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies property tax rules to include 90% of new development value in tax incremental districts (TIDs), strengthening local fiscal management by enabling revenue capture for infrastructure without raising existing tax burdens.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingModifies tax rules to incentivize infill housing development, increasing unit density on existing infrastructure, supporting affordable housing growth through tax incremental districts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax State Budget Affordable Housing Property Taxes Zoning

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 889: Relating to: creating the Wisconsin Climate Corps program, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 889 establishes the Wisconsin Climate Corps program to create climate-focused job opportunities for workers aged 16-30, with at least 50% from underserved communities. The program funds projects like restoring natural lands, weatherizing homes for energy efficiency, and building community gardens, administered by a board overseeing contracts with nonprofit managers. Key requirements include paying workers $15/hour, providing housing stipends ($100/week), and gold-level health insurance. Sponsors (local governments, tribes, or nonprofits) must submit annual reports, and completed projects require permanent plaques identifying them as Wisconsin Climate Corps initiatives. The bill appropriates state funds for grants to approved projects under this framework.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes an appropriation to fund the Wisconsin Climate Corps program with specific wage/benefit requirements, directly advancing state budget allocation for climate jobs.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly funds weatherizing homes for energy efficiency, directly advancing energy efficiency policy as a key energy infrastructure measure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates climate-focused jobs including natural land restoration, energy-efficient weatherization, and community gardens - directly advancing environmental conservation and pollution reduction.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates gold-level health insurance for Climate Corps workers, directly expanding coverage under the program's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides housing stipends ($100/week) and funds home weatherization, indirectly supporting housing affordability and worker housing needs.65% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates $15/hr wage, housing stipends, and gold-level health insurance for climate corps workers, directly advancing employment standards and worker benefits through funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Energy Efficiency Insurance

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